Chapter 2: The Record of Uncommon Aspirations
The sound of coughing seemed to stop in an instant, and the beggar slowly raised his head, his eyes unexpectedly bright, as if the night had transformed into day in that moment
After the meal, Yu Duxiu casually pulled out a book from beside the bed and walked to the courtyard to sit in a simple rattan chair
Brother, when did you become so skilled at cooking?" Yu Shiniang said as she sipped the fish soup from a bowl, taking small sips.
Oh. Yu Shuniang took a sip of the fish soup with a slurp, not delving into why Yu Duxiu was so skilled at cooking. In her eyes, her brother was a scholar, and scholars were naturally omnipotent
The sound dissipated in the courtyard, and Yu Duxiu had already vanished from sight
This rattan chair was also abandoned by someone, but it was picked up by the two siblings as if it were a treasure. After some repairs, it can still be used.
Yu Duxiu recognized him; in his fading memory, this beggar had arrived here three years ago, yet he had never begged in the village. Occasionally, when people could not bear to see him in such a state, they would bring over some food that they could not finish.
In this atmosphere, the sound of insects seems to have diminished significantly
Yu Duxiu smiled upon hearing this, glancing at his own emaciated body, which anyone could tell was severely malnourished: "If you were to rely on each other since childhood, living off wild vegetables every day, you would likely be in the same situation."
Upon hearing this, Yu Shuniang stuck out her tongue; facing this elder brother, she never dared to defy him in the slightest
According to memory, Yu Duxiu took the completed trap, dug up a few earthworms, and threw them into the trap, then came to the only river surrounding the small village
There is no need to say more, I have my own plans for my brother" Yu Duxiu interrupted Yu Shiniang's words with a serious expression
If one can ascend the path of immortality, what need is there to read the books of sages and worthies? Chen Jiu rolled up the Record of Uncommon Aspirations and held it in his hand
"Great responsibilities are bestowed upon this person by heaven; they must first endure hardship in their hearts, toil their muscles and bones, and suffer hunger in their bodies, thereby enhancing what they cannot do. Those who have walked through suffering are all individuals of strong will," the beggar said slowly, followed by another bout of coughing.
Speaking of which, Yu Shiniang resembled a fox that had stolen a chick, proudly picking up the Yizhi Lu and finding a place to hide it
After speaking, Yu Duxiu got up and gathered some dry branches from around, bringing the outdoor bonfire inside
Yu Duxiu shook his head, and after the fish soup was ready, he ladled out a bowl and placed it in the wooden bucket: "You eat first, I will step out for a while"
"Naturally, I caught them myself. The river is abundant with fish and shrimp, and we can improve our meals every day in the future. We will no longer have to worry about not having meat to eat," Yu Duxiu said proudly.
After a long time, the beggar slowly set down the ceramic bowl and turned his gaze towards Yu Duxiu, saying, "You are a good person"
While wandering around the yard, Yu Duxiu found a piece of rough hemp rope at her feet, which was unsuitable for fishing
Upon saying this, looking at her frail body, Yu Duxiu silently shook her head: "The foundation of this physique is too poor; if one wishes to practice martial arts, it is essential to strengthen the body first."
Yu Shuniang raised her head upon hearing this, looking at Chen Jiu's drenched clothes, her lips pouting: "Brother, what have you been doing? How did you get your clothes all wet?"
Although he recognizes these characters, and can identify them through the memory of that unfortunate deceased person, understanding their meaning requires careful contemplation.
Standing up and approaching the location of the trap, what a catch, a big black fish weighing over 6 pounds
Yu Duxiu did not speak, he is a person with a story
After a long time, the beggar coughed again, breaking the silence. The beggar held the fish soup to his lips, and the wild vegetable fish soup, devoid of any seasoning, seemed to become the most exquisite delicacy in the world
According to the method of Yu Duxiu, there are regulations regarding the types of fish that can enter the trap; fish that are too large can escape the trap, while those that are too small are unappetizing.
The beggar's lips trembled slightly: "Do not mind me, I am already beyond cure, unable to last three days."
Entering the dilapidated temple, Yu Duxiu's eyes swept across the space, and in a corner of the ruined temple, he spotted a curled-up figure, the sound of coughing emanating from this shadow.
If every day one could catch an extra fish, Yu Shiniang would dry the fish meat to make dried fish for future consumption. Sometimes, when three or four fish are caught, Yu Duxiu would exchange some items with the villagers. Eating fish stew with wild vegetables all day long is not sufficient; it is also necessary to mix in some other foods for a better diet.
A gentle breeze passed by, and Yu Duxiu unexpectedly fell asleep without realizing it. He did not know how long had passed when the hemp rope tied to his right hand suddenly tugged, waking him up. He knew he had been hooked, and it was a big fish.
To the east of the village where Yu Duxiu resides, there is a dilapidated temple. This temple, having stood for many years, has long since become a completely useless and abandoned structure. Countless large holes have appeared in the temple, offering no protection from the wind or rain. The statues within the temple have been burned for warmth and cooking by some passerby, leaving the temple with only one purpose: to serve as a resting place for travelers.
The trap was set there, and Yu Duxiu closed her eyes, basking in the sun, presenting a picture of serene contentment
Upon returning home, I indeed saw my younger sister busy drying cured meat. Watching the petite figure bustling about, Yu Duxiu's lips curled slightly: "This is home"
Yu Duxiu let out a soft sigh, picked up the wooden bucket. Although he felt compassion for the beggar, he was powerless to help. He had not studied medicine and did not understand herbal remedies. At that moment, he had no money on him, and both he and his sister were struggling to survive, so how could he assist the beggar
The traps that have been prepared are thrown into the small river, as earthworms are the best food for the fish in the river, and Yu Duxiu is not worried that the fish will not bite.
The fire stick in hand ignited, lighting a bonfire in front of the temple, as if the darkness was instantly dispelled
Lifting the trap, and recalling the greedy look on his younger sister's face, Yu Duxiu revealed a faint smile: "Such a big fish, enough for both myself and my sister to enjoy a feast, she is too thin, just right to nourish her body"
Today's harvest is quite good, and Yu Duxiu is very happy. There are as many as five large fish in this wooden barrel, with the smallest one weighing a full seven pounds.
Yuxiuniang sat quietly beside Yuduxiu, engrossed in a book. Upon hearing these words, she lifted her head and advised, "Elder brother, do not speak recklessly. The legends of immortals have been passed down since ancient times, yet those who truly possess the fate of immortality have never been seen to attain the fruit of eternal life. Rather than pursuing the elusive path of the immortals, it would be better for you to diligently study the teachings of the sages and restore the glory of our Yu family."
The sunlight is abundant, the sky is azure, there is no dust, and there is no haze
Yu Duxiu waved the wooden bucket in his hand and said: "Ding ding ding, there is a gift for you, take a look quickly"
Yu Duxiu gazed at Yu Shiniang, remaining silent for a long time
Upon hearing this, Yu Shuniang swiftly opened the lid of the barrel and exclaimed, "Wow, brother, where did you get such a big fish?"
The voice is hoarse, as if scraping on broken glass
Upon hearing this, Yu Shuniang's small face fell, realizing that her brother was right. Currently, the two of them could barely afford to eat, relying on wild vegetables to stave off hunger. Who knows when they might starve to death? If there is no grain by winter, how will the brother and sister survive?
The younger sister had long since stewed the wild vegetables, placing them in that simple pot. To be honest, the wild vegetables are not particularly tasty, especially those that have not been cooked with any additional ingredients
Yu Duxiu lightly tapped Yu Shiniang's forehead and said: "With a sharp tongue, I naturally know how to make choices. However, the Central Region is vast, and the land of the Nine Provinces is filled with talented individuals, countless prodigies. Many have been guided by esteemed masters since childhood, while I still have to struggle and explore. Over time, the gap cannot be measured in mere distances. To stand out among countless prodigies, to attain the position of the top scholar and be summoned by the emperor, is not simpler than seeking immortality or enlightenment."
The beggar opened his eyes again, glanced up and down at Yu Duxiu, and said nothing
The beggar extended his filthy hand, grasped the ceramic bowl, and gazed at the wild vegetable fish soup. It seemed as if he recalled something, holding the fish soup in that manner, remaining silent for a long time
"Your writing skills are quite impressive for a beggar," Yu Duxiu remarked, finding the beggar before her rather intriguing
You don't believe it? Looking at Yu Duxiu, the beggar's eyes seemed capable of penetrating all things in the world
Yu Duxiu was taken aback; could this be the legendary protagonist experiencing a surge in character, casually saving a beggar, who is actually a renowned and powerful figure in legend? Then, he would bestow upon himself ten or eight pieces of celestial artifacts, an array of extraordinary techniques, and subsequently undergo a cleansing and transformation, soaring to great heights, striking down mighty beings with his fists and kicking celestial beings with his feet
Yu Duxiu skillfully gutted the fish, and although there were no seasonings, for the brother and sister, having meat to eat was the happiest thing
"You are ill, gravely ill" said Yu Duxiu as she approached the beggar, oblivious to the nauseating odor.
Yu Duxiu revealed her snow-white teeth upon hearing this: "Many people have praised me like this; you are not the first."
As the days passed, with Yu Duxiu fishing, the lives of the brother and sister finally showed some improvement. This was ancient times, and in this era, all species existed in their original ecological state, free from excessive fishing and slaughter. The fish in the stream were abundant, and without sufficiently advanced fishing technology, the river water remained a paradise for fish.
Rivers are the source of life; wherever there are rivers, there will inevitably be places where life thrives. Without rivers, life cannot endure in such areas.
Hearing the footsteps, the beggar opened his eyes to glance at Yu Duxiu, but was soon seized by a violent coughing fit, after which he slowly closed his eyes again
However, Yu Duxiu knew that it was definitely not an illusion, because his eyes had indeed been in excruciating pain earlier
Holding a torch in hand, Yu Duxiu once again approached the beggar and placed the wooden bucket on the ground: "Eat, I cannot help you with anything else, I can only offer you a bowl of fresh fish soup, so that you can have a decent meal before you die."
After speaking, Yu Duxiu turned and left
A series of coughs halted Yu Duxiu's steps. She looked towards the dilapidated temple, her heart stirred; there was someone inside, not just anyone, but a seriously ill patient.
There are many methods of fishing, and angling is just one of the relatively less labor-intensive methods.
The account in this record may not necessarily be true; Yu Duxiu is merely skeptical and does not dare to fully believe it. It is akin to the claims about the existence of "immortals" in the past; however, no one has ever truly seen an immortal.
The beggar is coughing severely, and with each cough, his body is trembling incessantly
Yu Duxiu sought the Dao in his previous life, and the ability to generate a sense of energy is certainly not something ordinary people possess; he indeed has true skill in his hands
The beggar looked up and down at Yu Duxiu for a long time before gently sighing: "Your body has suffered too much loss."
The river water is clear enough to see the bottom, and the river is three zhang wide, which according to current calculations, is approximately over ten meters.
Yu Duxiu looked up at the sky and said: "I have been watching you cook every day; over time, I naturally came to understand it."
In the yard, a wooden barrel was found, and some wooden sticks were trimmed. Thin sticks were woven together with hemp rope, and then combined with the wooden barrel, resulting in a simple trap being completed
Yu Shuniang watched Yu Duxiu's figure as he turned to leave, then glanced at the Strange Aspirations Record placed on the table. With her delicate hand, she picked up the Strange Aspirations Record and said: "This broken book, akin to a mere textbook, has surprisingly led my elder brother to feel despondent. I shall hide it; if my brother cannot see this Strange Aspirations Record, he will naturally be at ease in his studies and will bring glory to the Yu family."
When it comes to borrowing money in the village, it is likely that they will not be able to do so. The two siblings are destitute, and who would dare to lend them money? That would be throwing money away
Yu Shuniang remained silent for a long time, and after a while, she finally placed her hand on Yu Duxiu's shoulder: "Brother, why must you speak such discouraging words? Do not bolster others' confidence while undermining your own. I believe you can do it."
After reading this sentence, Yu Duxiu slowly closed her eyes, pondering to herself: "This world also has the notion of immortality; regardless of the realm, immortality is the greatest desire pursued by intelligent beings."
Gently, slowly, sipping one mouthful at a time, occasionally spitting out a fishbone
What he thinks is vastly different from what Yu Shuniang thinks. He not only wants to escape the current predicament but also needs to plan for future life. With no food to eat all day, how can he continue his studies? Living a life of alternating hunger and fullness is certainly not the life Yu Duxiu desires. Even if he does not consider himself, he must think of his younger sister. Continuing with these studies holds little meaning; not only is he unlikely to achieve success and fame, but he also risks becoming a burden to his sister. This is absolutely not the life Yu Duxiu wants. Even if he does not consider himself, he must think of his younger sister. Continuing with these studies holds little meaning; not only is he unlikely to achieve success and fame, but he also risks becoming a burden to his sister.
Originally an abandoned temple that went unnoticed, it caught the attention of Yu Duxiu
The beggar had disheveled hair, making it difficult to discern their face, and their entire body was covered in filthy dirt, rendering their age indiscernible
Although witnessing death without offering help has become commonplace in the previous world, Yu Duxiu is still a normal person, possessing a sense of compassion, with even a trace of pitiful conscience not entirely erased.
Chen Jiuwen was rendered speechless upon hearing this. He looked at the sullen-faced Yu Shiniang and reached out to tousle her hair, saying, "What do you know? A scholar is of no use at all; no matter how many sacred texts one reads, they cannot fill the stomach. Given our current situation, we won't even have to wait until the day we achieve fame; we will starve to death. In the face of life and death, survival is the only path. As for the sacred texts, we can read them once we have resolved our basic needs."
Continuing to read, Yu Duxiu was completely captivated by this book of extraordinary aspirations. Regardless of whether the contents of this book are true or false, the profound and magical world it described still evoked a sense of longing within him.
Yu Duxiu had once secluded himself in the wilderness in a previous life, naturally developing his own set of survival skills
Not all wild vegetables are tasty; some can barely satisfy hunger. As for their flavor, it is better left unsaid. If wild vegetables were truly delicious, why would farmers toil in the fields? They could simply go to the mountains to dig up wild vegetables.
Looking at the title of the book "Record of Unusual Aspirations", Yu Duxiu spoke somewhat awkwardly
The flames danced incessantly, and within the distorted light of the fire, everything around seemed to come alive, twisting continuously
Who knows, upon hearing this, Yu Shiniang not only lost her joy but instead her expression darkened: "Brother, reading the classics and pursuing academic success to restore the honor of the Yu family is the right path. You are still young, and this is the best time for studying. How can you neglect your studies and waste your youth in vain?"
Yu Duxiu stood outside the dilapidated temple, using the moonlight to survey the surroundings, and found that there were still some combustible materials available.
The river water is clear to the bottom, and from time to time, one can see fish and shrimp swimming within it
As dusk fell in the west, Yu Duxiu walked towards the village in the setting sun, a wooden bucket in hand that swayed continuously, the sound of clattering occasionally echoing, clearly indicating that a few restless fellows inside felt too confined and wanted to escape out.
From time to time, people come to the village to fish. However, in Yu Duxiu's impression, the fishing methods in this world are overly simplistic, relying merely on long poles to spear the fish.
Yu Duxiu felt a sharp pain in her eyes, and in an instant, she closed them. When she opened them again, everything seemed to be an illusion, as if it were a dream
Yu Duxiu recalled the "Records of Strange Aspirations": "I have read it in a book of strange aspirations."
Slowly opening the book, the opening passage of the "Record of Extraordinary Aspirations" came into Yu Duxiu's view: "The heavens and the earth are vast, the mysterious and the yellow are laid out, the sun and the moon traverse the great way, immersing in the profound mysteries. In the world, there are seekers of the Dao, referred to as: immortals. Immortals possess the ability to seize the mysteries of heaven and earth, nurturing creation, and should have the power to reach the heavens and penetrate the earth."
Yu Duxiu set down the fish: "Do you need help? Unfortunately, I do not know where there is a doctor"
The siblings spent a night in silence. The next day, Yu Duxiu woke up early, looking at the bright red sun that had already risen three poles high. Yu Duxiu stretched lazily; after a night of rest, her body felt much better, no longer as frail as the day before.
Yu Duxiu patted Yu Shiniang's arm and reassured her, "There is no need to say much; everything will be taken care of by elder brother. He will handle everything properly, so you need not worry."
The sky has darkened, and the temple in the darkness resembles a giant beast with its mouth wide open, waiting for the arrival of its prey
Yu Duxiu put down the "Record of Uncommon Aspirations" in his hand, stood up, and grabbed the fishing gear: "I will go fishing. As for the matters ahead, let us not worry about them for now. We must first resolve the immediate issue; we cannot go hungry."
Although I have accepted the memories of the original owner of this body, I still need further refinement to fully master them
"It's enough to have heard it. I am, in fact, just a monk," the beggar said while coughing.
As she spoke, her voice gradually lowered. She herself knew that the difficulty of the imperial examination was no less than that of ascending to the heavens. Yet, in her heart, there always remained a hope, a steadfast goal, a mere thought.
"Little sister, I am back," Yu Duxiu said while carrying a wooden bucket.
Yu Duxiu's footsteps gradually receded as he returned home, not paying attention to the hidden record of unusual aspirations concealed by his younger sister, but instead sitting silently with the fish soup.
The beggar seemed oblivious to Yu Duxiu's jest and instead asked, "Have you heard of cultivators?"
Yu Shuniang seemed to notice something was off with her brother: "What’s wrong?"